A gentle halo of light softly caressed the delicate skin of the clouds and mist, giving the illusory space an unusually tangible feel. In the vague distance, a towering palace seemed to emerge—both ethereal and real under the tender touch of the light.
A solitary figure stood quietly amidst the mist, gazing out toward the endless horizon, eyes fixed on something unseen.
He had long, water-blue hair cascading down like a waterfall to his feet. If not for his towering stature and broad shoulders, one might mistake him for a woman from behind.
His luxurious blue robe seemed to ripple like water. If one looked closely, their gaze would be instantly drawn into the deep azure, as if their entire soul was pulled into the oceanic depth of endless blue.
Though appearing only in his twenties with a handsome face, his eyes were profoundly deep. His gaze seemed vacant yet all-encompassing, occasionally flickering with a hint of violet that pierced the heart—evoking a fleeting moment of brilliant life and sudden death.
"Ah—" The man sighed softly, a trace of faint sorrow appearing between his brows. His eyes closed gently, as if contemplating the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.
"Third Brother." A soft voice called out. A figure stepped out from the mist and naturally, gently entwined her arm around the blue-robed man's.
She was a woman in a pink long dress, her long hair braided into a scorpion braid that draped lightly down her back. From behind, her exquisite, slender, fair neck was visible. The dress cinched at the waist perfectly outlined her alluring figure.
In Xiao Wu's eyes was a gentle warmth. "Third Brother, I saw your expression earlier—it seemed troubled again. Is it about Douluo Continent?"
Tang San nodded, sighing softly. "One day in the Divine Realm equals one year in the mortal world. That's how all dimensions work. Originally, I planned to stay longer on Douluo Continent to set up more foundations for the Tang Sect, but because of a bet, I had to return to the Divine Realm to take charge. Unexpectedly, while more than twenty years passed in the Divine Realm, ten thousand years went by on Douluo Continent, and the Tang Sect has withered."
Xiao Wu said irritably, "Those two—Goodness and Evil—were way too cunning. They tricked us into leaving Douluo too early in the name of a bet, which made you unable to secure the dimension's embryo."
Tang San said, "I've already arranged for my parents to handle that. After ten thousand years of changes, Douluo Continent has become somewhat chaotic. Especially the continental collision over four thousand years ago—it not only more than doubled Douluo Continent's size but also brought many variables."
Xiao Wu said, "That's when the Tang Sect started to decline! Third Brother, don't think too much. Shrek Academy still exists, and we can still influence the dimension through some means."
Tang San nodded. "True, the Tang Sect was founded by me and cannot simply disappear. As an enforcer of the Divine Realm, I cannot intervene directly in a dimension's affairs, but there are always more ways than difficulties. Recently, a new star seems to have risen on Douluo Continent, closely tied to the Tang Sect. I tried to see his fate, but my perception was blocked at a certain point by some presence."
Xiao Wu's eyes narrowed. "Who in Douluo dares to block your perception? Could it be the Silver Dragon King hiding deep in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
"No, not him. The Dragon God's divine seat is shattered, he no longer has divine power and can't block a Divine King's perception," Tang San said firmly.
"Could it be Qian Renxue?" Xiao Wu seemed to realize something. "But she's still suppressed by you on Sea God Island, continuously supplying you with divine power—she shouldn't be able to do that."
Tang San sneered and shook his head. "Don't forget, there was one more deity who fought against us back then."
"You mean... Bibi Dong?" Xiao Wu's eyes filled with deep hatred. "She killed my mother and should have died by the Asura Sword!"
Tang San calmly analyzed, "When we jointly killed her, we didn't find the Asura God's legacy. She probably fled with her divine consciousness and the legacy." Then he smiled lightly, "It doesn't matter. Even if she revives and regains her peak, she is only a Level One Deity."
"And I am already a true Divine King!"
"You're the best, Third Brother!" Xiao Wu happily hugged Tang San's arm, then seemed to have an idea. "Why not send Xiao Qi down to investigate? Through connecting with your divine consciousness, she might be able to recruit that new fated child!"
"That would be good." Thinking of Xiao Qi, a strange light flickered in Tang San's eyes…
—
Star Dou Great Forest Outskirts.
Huo Yuhao emerged from his Spirit Sea and felt the changes within himself. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Two translucent white spirit rings rose from beneath his feet. Yes, two spirit rings. After Bibi Dong used her Asura divine power to supplement the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's abilities, besides the four great skills of the first spirit ring, Huo Yuhao also gained the second spirit skill—spirit simulation—which he was supposed to get on his first Extreme North journey.
Usually, only spirit souls would grant a soul master multiple spirit rings, but Huo Yuhao's current physique and spiritual strength far surpassed his original counterpart. The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm didn't need to limit itself, having enough original power to help him forge a second, even third and fourth spirit ring.
Bibi Dong had once again become Huo Yuhao's labor force, forging the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's original soul power into a spiritual skill spirit ring for him. Compared to hunting soul beasts for skills later, it was more reliable to have a divine spirit ring made by Bibi Dong with her divine power.
With the vast original soul power reservoir of the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm, Bibi Dong didn't need to consume her divine consciousness and power to forge divine spirit rings for Huo Yuhao—she could stabilize her own divine consciousness by absorbing the Ice Silkworm's spiritual power.
Currently, Huo Yuhao had leapt from a mere soul warrior to a second-ring great soul master, an impressive feat for his age.
Most importantly, his cheat was finally in hand—he could freely pursue what he wished.
Huo Yuhao stretched, his bones crackling with the sound. Having spirit rings truly felt different. Previously, he had soul power but no way to use it; now he had endured to this point.
The soul power inside, once capped, had transformed qualitatively, even his body's strength seemed to have increased. Smooth soul power surged out, and what his spiritual eyes saw was clearer, with many instinctive skill imprints appearing in his mind.
White spirit rings served as a natural shield. When facing enemies, they gave off the impression of weakness, perfect for playing dumb.
Huo Yuhao suddenly remembered Zhongli Yu, who had been knocked unconscious by the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm. Activating spiritual detection, he quickly found Zhongli Yu fainted in the grass.
Seeing she was still unconscious, Huo Yuhao knew this was his best chance to shake off the Holy Spirit Sect.
He bent down, gently brushing the messy hair from Zhongli Yu's forehead, honestly feeling that even though most of the time it was just a charade, he couldn't be indifferent to this woman.
"Wait for me. I will come back for you."
Huo Yuhao softly kissed her forehead, leaving a spiritual message behind.
After confirming the surroundings were safe, he set up several trigger-type invincible shields around Zhongli Yu. Taking one last lingering glance at her beautiful face, he left without looking back.
According to the original storyline, he had to visit Shrek Academy. Only there could he gain opportunities unavailable elsewhere.
After Huo Yuhao's figure disappeared from visible range, Zhongli Yu's half-closed beautiful eyes unexpectedly shed a crystal tear.
She had long since awakened and did not stop his departure. Though she was used by the Holy Spirit Sect to bind the Holy Son's heart, did she not have her own?
After a year together, she had already given her whole heart to Huo Yuhao.
Go, little rival. Go seek your freedom. The Holy Spirit Sect is an organization of evil soul masters. Don't come back… and in the end, forget me.
(End of Chapter)
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